Aequus, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s housing company, is on the lookout for a new independent non-executive chair of its board.
The role is being advertised to secure a smooth transition when current chair Charles Gerrish steps down at the end of his term of office next May after eight years at the helm.
The Aequus Group was set up in 2016 to provide affordable sustainable homes to meet the housing needs of local residents and help finance council services by developing, delivering, owning and managing property for both the rental and homeowner market on behalf of the council.
It has since delivered 221 new homes in Bath and North East Somerset alongside meeting its business plan performance to generate £1m a year of income that supports the council’s frontline services, with around 1,000 more homes planned for the future.
Its new homes include 95 apartments at Riverside View in Keynsham and 52 private rented sector units, primarily in Bath city centre and mainly let to city workers and young professionals.
All Aequus developments are designed to tackle the climate emergency by reducing carbon emissions, with new build homes EPC A-rated. A number are electric only, benefit from additional insulation and a heat recovery ventilation system to reduce energy use.
Other energy efficiency measures used on its homes include solar panels, which have resulted in a minimum 50% reduction in energy costs.
It is made up of a holding company Aequus Group Holdings, Aequus Developments, which manages private rental properties, and Aequus Construction, which develops housing.
The new chair will provide strategic leadership and guidance to the board of directors and ensure the company continues to achieve the council’s objectives to deliver homes that meet local housing needs, including social housing, while supporting the council’s climate and ecological emergency objectives.
Charles Gerrish said: “Aequus is a successful and growing local authority housing company and my successor will play a key role in steering the group through a period of growth to support the future housing delivery needs of our local authority partners.”
Council cabinet project lead for built environment & sustainable development, Cllr Deborah Collins, said: “Through Aequus the council is delivering more affordable, sustainable homes for residents in Bath and North East Somerset whilst generating returns that support our priorities.
“The company is instrumental in providing the homes that our communities need and so it’s vital that it is chaired by someone who can continue to provide the effective leadership we have received from Charles Gerrish over the past eight years.
“With Charles preparing to step down next May, we are now planning ahead to ensure continuity and I am sure this opportunity will attract many high-quality applicants.
“I’d like to thank Charles for his contribution since 2016 which has shaped so positively the company’s achievements to date.”
The council said applicants should be experienced non-executive directors, ideally with chairing experience, understanding of how to work with elected members and with expertise and understanding of commercial aspects of the housing and development industry.
They must also have a good understanding of the geographical, political and social environment in which Aequus operates and understand how local authorities work.
